With Purdue Win, Ohio State Stays Focused on the Ultimate Prize
For the Ohio State Buckeyes, a 34-10 victory over Purdue is another Saturday, another win, another step toward the only thing that matters: a national championship.
This team, now 9-0, understands that each game is a building block. The win at Ross-Ade Stadium, a venue that has historically been a tough place for the Buckeyes, was just business. They handled it, and now their focus shifts to the next challenge.
While the performance wasn’t perfect, it was dominant. Ohio State controlled the ball for nearly 41 minutes, amassed 473 total yards to Purdue’s 186 and kept the Boilermakers out of the end zone until the final two minutes of the game. It was a clinical, methodical dismantling of an opponent that stood in their way.
A Dominant Display on the Road
After Purdue took an early 3-0 lead, the Buckeyes responded with an offensive explosion, scoring 24 unanswered points in the second quarter. The surge began with a one-yard touchdown run by C.J. Donaldson, set up by a 31-yard reception from star receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Later in the quarter, quarterback Julian Sayin connected with Smith for a spectacular 35-yard touchdown, a play that showcased the connection between the veteran quarterback and his top target. Sayin finished the day with 303 passing yards, his sixth 300-yard game of the season, while Smith hauled in 10 catches for 137 yards.
The Buckeyes showed their depth, even with key players like receiver Carnell Tate sidelined. The team experimented with different looks on offense, and the defense remained a formidable force, highlighted by an interception from Jermaine Mathews Jr. that stifled Purdue’s momentum.
Overcoming Past Struggles
For a team with national title aspirations, a mid-November game against Purdue could have been a classic trap. Ross-Ade Stadium has been a house of horrors for Ohio State in the past, with losses in 2009, 2011, and 2018. The Buckeyes entered the game with a modest 2-3 record in their last five trips to West Lafayette.
Hoqwever, this team is different. They didn’t just win; they controlled the game from the second quarter on, erasing any thoughts of another upset. This victory wasn’t just about improving to 9-0; it was about demonstrating a mental toughness that will be essential as the stakes get higher.
The Path Forward
The win keeps Ohio State on a collision course for a Big Ten Championship showdown, likely against Indiana. But before that, they face a primetime matchup against UCLA. The team knows that every week from here on out is a test. The pressure will mount, the opponents will get tougher, and the margin for error will shrink.
This win over Purdue wasn’t the kind of game that will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come. It was a gritty, professional performance on the road. It was the kind of win that championship teams grind out. It was another job done, another box checked on the way to the only goal that matters. For the Buckeyes, the real season is just beginning.
